Western Historic

RADIO  MUSEUM

Only Zenith Radios

1925 - 1940

Super-Zenith Model VII

1925

This six tube, battery operated receiver was introduced in late 1924 and was still being offered as late as 1927. It used TRF circuitry and featured three AF amplifier stages. High quality construction with ample battery storage, faux grained metal panel with bronze relief scales and gold-plated dial pointers. Early models sported red hard-rubber knobs while the later versions had brown bakelite knobs. At almost four feet in length, the VII is a monsterously large table set and it's not surprising that Zenith also offered it in several floor model configurations. Though most of the components used in the set were of high quality, pot-metal pulleys plague the VII series and nowadays very few are found with functional tuning. When operating, these huge battery sets do perform quite well.

Model 77

1930-31

Zenith's Model 77 was introduced in late 1930. The Depression had halted sales of the more expensive radios, so Zenith cut costs wherever they could.   The Model 77 was housed in the same cabinet as the earlier Model 54 and 64 but whether the 77 used  surplus cabinets from the proceeding year or new cabinets of the same old style is not known. The built-in loop antenna used in the 54 and 64 was eliminated as another cost-cutting measure. However, the tuned input, tuned output TRF circuit remained the same and an improved power supply was added. The Model 77 was not produced in any significant quantity. This particular Model 77 was originally sold to Glen Wydette of Reno, Nevada by Nevada Machinery & Electric Co., Reno's Zenith dealer at the time.

Model 775B

1934

This is a 12 tube, dual speaker, superhet using a pair of 59 tubes in Push-pull for the audio output. The dual 8"speakers are mounted a right-angles to each other. A "shadow-graph" tuning meter and "tell-tale" control indicators were also included on this high-end receiver. Sliding doors can hide both the speaker grille and the tuning controls. Even Zenith had its "bad days" when it came to quality control. The pillar on the right is mounted one-quarter turn off. The flat should be facing backwards to give ample clearance for the sliding doors, (it's facing left and can't be rotated because there isn't enough clearance due to the square base on the pillar.) Whether Zenith's QC missed the error or just "let it go" is not known.

Model 805

1935

By 1935, Zenith was considering the "cathedral" style of cabinet a bit archaic. The 805 was the last cathedral Zenith offered even though a few other manufacturers continued with the style for a year or two more. This little five tube set is a good performer and the two tone finish with black japan trim is quite attractive. Covers BC and one Shortwave band.

Model 9-S-54

1936

Zenith's famous "Big Black Dial" was introduced with the 1936 model line, though Zenith originally called it "Black Magnavision Dial." It was a striking departure from the small, hard to read dials that proceeded it. The 9-S-54 was a 9 tube receiver with RF amplifier, triode audio drivers and a pair of push-pull 6F6s producing about 10 watts to drive a 12" electrodynamic speaker. The speaker was mounted on an "Overtone Amplifier" - a spacer that increased the opening on the baffle board and also increased the speaker's distance from the baffle board - an effort to widen the audio frequency reproduction. Two-speed tuning is also featured along with band-in-use indicators. The cabinet uses walnut veneers with black japan trim and the upper pilasters are burled with marquetry trim. This particular 9-S-54 belonged to the Gladding family of Virginia City.

Model 8-S-154

1937

Zenith replaced the "Black Magnavision Dial" moniker with "Big Black Dial" in their advertising for 1937. The 8-S-154 features a shadow-graph "Bull's Eye" tuning indicator and subtle color-coded dial scales. The 8-tube receiver drove a 12" electrodynamic speaker with a beehive-shaped rear cover called an Acoustical Adaptor that was designed to enhance the bass for various room sizes along with Zenith's Overtone Amplifier to help widen the frequency response. The single-ended 6L6 audio output produced about 8 watts of audio power. The cabinet design was exquisite with many curves, fluted pillars, gadrooning and contrasting veneers.

Model 10-S-160

1937

About 15 watts from the Push-pull 6L6 audio output (driving a 12" speaker) was the main feature that distinguished the 10-S-160 from the smaller consoles in 1937. The usual acoustic features were also included resulting in impressive sound capabilities. Certainly the feature that is most innovative is the cabinet style. The upper-side gadrooning, gold stripping and unusual grille cloth all give this model a unique appearance that is either appreciated or abhorred. This 10-S-160 was purchased new in 1937 from Nevada Machinery & Electric in Reno by the Guallo family. The radio never left the Guallo house for the next sixty years, at which time (1997) it was purchased for the museum. 

Model 12-U-159

1937

If you wanted Zenith's "top-of-the-line" (and couldn't afford the Stratosphere models), the 12-U-159 was it. At $175.00, it offered the purchaser a 12 tube chassis with 4 bands (band-in-use illuminated and color-coded), a 12" bass speaker with a 6" treble speaker, shadow-graph tuning indicator and an acoustical adaptor on the bass speaker. Push-pull 6L6 audio output produced about 15 watts of power. The cabinetry was stunning with burl veneers, japan trim and parquetry inlays. Much care was afforded the design of the transformer coupled audio section and it results in the 12-U-159 being one of the best sounding Zenith console radios.

Model 6-S-222

1938

The "cube" style, (introduced in 1937 with the 5-S-126), was so popular that Zenith kept it in the 1938 line-up at the same 1937 price of $39.95. The tube count was increased to six, although Zenith did this by replacing the duplex diode-triode (6Q7) with separate first audio amp (6F5) and a dual diode (6H6) so performance is about the same as the 1937 version. The larger cube radios featured AM BC plus two shortwave bands and a 6"speaker mounted in the top of the cabinet which resulted in a pleasing sound quality due to hearing the sound wave indirectly.

Model 7-S-232

1938

For 1938, Zenith offered a deluxe table model radio featuring the new Robot Dial and Cathode-ray Tuning Indicator in a superbly styled, machine age cabinet. Four versions were available - two different seven-tube chassis, a nine-tube chassis and a twelve-tube chassis. The nine and twelve-tube models had motor-drive tuning.   All models utilized an eight-inch electrodynamic speaker, (except the "J" model farm-set  which used an 8" PM speaker.) These were expensive sets with the 7S232 selling for $74.95, the 7J232 going for $79.95, the 9S232 price was $89.95 and the 12S232 topping the price list at $99.95. The 1970s TV series, "The Waltons," featured a 232 model in several episodes, hence the collector nickname - Zenith Walton.

Model 7-S-240

1938

The "Robot Dial" (shutter-dial) was introduced in Zenith's 1938 models. Almost all of the larger models featured this fancy, mechanically articulated band-in-use dial scale, even this little 7 tube chairside. Also, for 1938, most models included a cathode-ray tuning indicator to replace Zenith's old "bull's eye" shadow-graph. The unusual cabinet allowed of storage of magazines and books. The sound quality from the eight-inch speaker is fairly good but certainly not up the level of the higher tube-count chassis.

Model 9-S-262

1938

This was Zenith's big seller for 1938. It had features like cathode-ray tuning indicator, Robot Dial with motorized tuning, acoustic adaptor and a 9-tube chassis. At just under $100, it was a real bargin and Zenith sold a lot of them. The 262 is found with two different grille cloth designs. The photo shows the "geometric" pattern but there was also a vertical "swirl" pattern on some of the production. This particular 262 was originally purchased by the Dibitonto family in 1938. Later, they placed the radio in the lobby of Reno's St. Francis Hotel, (which they owned.) Sam Dibitonto, former mayor of Reno, donated his family radio to our museum in 1993.

Model 6-S-330

1939

Zenith continued to offer its six-tube chassis table model for 1939 at the same 1938 price of $39.95. Electronic tuning push-buttons made their debut in the 1939 Zenith line (though mechanical push-buttons had been popular on Zenith radios in the late twenties.) The radio tunes AM-BC and two Shortwave Bands with a six-inch speaker delivering pleasing audio. The cabinet is finished in Nydoc, a decal-like application that resulted in a faux finish that resembled burl veneer. Nydoc (and the lacquer finish coat) is notorious for chipping and flaking leaving the white wood base exposed. This near perfect, original example spent the last sixty-odd years in the dark upstairs rooms of the vacant Werrin Bldg. here in Virginia City. 

Model 7-S-363

1939

For the 1939 model year, Zenith eliminated the Robot Dial from all radios using less than nine tubes. The 7-S-363 used an edge-lighted, metal dial but did feature the cathode-ray tuning indicator so popular at the time. Introduced in 1939 was electronic push-button tuning and the Radio Organ - Zenith's tone compensation circuit activated via slide switches. Zenith claimed that 64 combinations of tonal adjustment could be achieved with the Radio Organ. The plastic used on the 1939 models was of inferior quality and most sets are missing much of their original plastic today. Performance on the smaller consoles was fine and sound quality quite good. The cabinet used mostly linear walnut veneers set at contrasting angles with a burl trim veneer on the top-front. The smaller size cabinet allowed the radio to easily fit into the decor of the day. Original selling price was a modest $69.95. Zenith also offered this cabinet in a six-tube farm set version.

Model 10-S-452

1940

Zenith's 10 tube chassis for 1940 was offered in many different cabinets but certainly the most attractive was the chairside model. The art deco influence was enhanced with contrasting japan trim (in dark brown) and booked walnut veneers. Also included was a 10 inch speaker, built-in wavemagnet antenna and casters (for easy moving.) The sound emanating from this little package is spectacular.

Model 12-S-471

1940

This fabulous art deco cabinet houses a 12 tube receiver with 12 inch speaker. Included was the Radio Organ, which Zenith claimed could give 64 different tone combinations, and the Triple-Spectrum Robot Dial (Three Color Shutter-Dial.) The sound quality is excellent with typical Zenith "booming" bass. A very nice radio for night-time as the cathode-ray tuning indicator and great dial illumination give just the proper ambiance for "Lights Out" listening.